(CMR) The Cayman Islands community is outraged after a student of the John Gray High School was viciously attacked by his peers at school on Wednesday, September 13. The community, especially parents, said it is about time drastic measures be taken against those involved in violence in schools.
CMR has been told that the young man who was attacked had head injuries, including bruising to his eyes, which has resulted in swelling.
Since 2019, CMR has covered several school fights with videos posted; however, no major action has been taken against those involved, and fights have continued over the years.
Following the incident on Wednesday, the Department of Education Services (DES) condemned the incident and assured parents of the safety of their children.
“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our students, and we want to assure parents, guardians and the rest of the community that we are taking swift and decisive action in response to this unfortunate incident,” DES Director Mark Ray commented.
He continued, “Upon receiving reports of the incident, school staff acted quickly to ensure the victim received medical attention. We extend our heartfelt support to the victim and his family and are committed to working with the school to provide counseling support to help him through this difficult ordeal.”
Staff also alerted the Royal Cayman Islands Police Services (RCIPS) School Resource Officer, who apprehended and took the attackers into custody.
“In the interest of maintaining a safe and nurturing learning environment for all children, the school has decided to temporarily exclude the assailants from the school. Such conduct is unacceptable in our educational institutions, and we hope this action sends a clear message that violent behavior will not be tolerated in our schools,” Ray added.
The DES Director likewise underscored the importance of the Ministry of Education's ongoing anti-bullying campaign. He encouraged all students to report incidences of bullying to a trusted adult, adding, “Your safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we are committed to taking all necessary measures to address and prevent such incidents in the future.”
Ray further urged parents to have open and honest conversations with their children about the importance of treating others with kindness and respect.
For more information about the Ministry of Education's Anti-bullying Campaign, please visit https://www.gov.ky/education/anti-bullying.
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